A series of diplomatic hoaxes has brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Shiva, a subversive organisation based in India, could be responsible. Only Killmaster can find out for sure.

In New Delhi, the back streets prove hot and hazardous. Carter has to handle a band of crazed assassins, a heroin deal, a bizarre religious cult, a vengeful Indian warlord and a new, awesonely destructive super-weapon. If he wants to stay alive he has to follow his hunches and watch out for the sign of the cobra.